I just mailed my very first calendar order that was placed on this website using a credit card. While this may not seem like a very big deal, it is for me! Here's why.

When I first started selling calendars last year, almost all of my orders were in person. However, a few people asked for other options and so I quickly figured out how they could order using money transfers. These were all friends and none of the orders were going overseas so it was easy to sort it all out.

However, this year, there was interest from overseas. What to do? I wasn't quite sure but, regardless of the solution, it soon became clear I was going to need a website. So, off I went. Oh, what a learning curve! Oh, so many abandoned efforts! Oh, so many mistakes! Oh! Oh! Oh! Well, you get the point! Things finally came together on my third try and although this website isn't perfect, at least it does what I want it to do.

After setting up the website came the challenge of figuring out all the various payment options. That took some creative thinking but I'm happy with the results and I was pleased to find that I could set up a secure credit card paying option through Weebly, the host of this website. That took a lot of fiddling but slowly, through trial and error, it all came together. I was so relieved when everything was finally completely ready to go. Whew! What a lot of work! (You have no idea...)

So, the website was finally ready to go public. It should work, right? However, believing it should work and it actually working are two very different things. One of my biggest concerns was whether the credit card order process would work as it should. If not, then all the blood, sweat and tears (and cursing, cussing and gnashing of teeth) to set everything up would be in vain... But it wasn't! It worked like a charm! As smooth as butter! Easy-peasy!

And so that's why today is a big deal. It all works! And it works well! My very first credit card order has gone off without a hitch and now I can rest easy! Yes!!

Now, please excuse me while I go do a happy dance around my living room. (^.~)/

Technology is a beautiful thing when it works, but when it doesn't? Well, did you hear me cussing and cursing all the way from where you are? Ah, yes, it's been that kind of a day. Let me count the ways...

My computer is not cooperating. Everything is glitchy and moving slow - even software that I've never had trouble with before.

My printer is not cooperating either. Despite working last week, it now refuses to print even a test run.

Worst of all, my photo software moves so slowly it might as well not be moving at all, and I can't count the number of crashes I've had today.

Sadly, the reality is that I probably need a new computer and printer since they are both getting on in years. However, that's not going to happen for a day or two and I'm feeling a little jittery. It's unnerving to think how dependent I am on my computer. I do have backups but they need to be updated. Yes, I think that's the plan for this weekend.

So, here is a reminder! Technology isn't always your friend! If you need to back up your data, now is a good time!

I'm wishing us both luck! (^.~)/

Here's one of the photographs I finally had success with today. It's one of six that I just entered in theLensCulture Black & White Photography Awards. The timing was right down to the wire which is why the technology glitches nearly did me in! However, I managed to get it done on time. Whew! A little too "giri-giri" for my liking! (Japanese for "barely / just in time".)

It's not possible to link to the 6 images here, but if you visit my photo page on Facebook, you can scroll down to the post with the link. (For some reason, LensCulture only makes it possible to post to Facebook.)